buying apples

We set off to buy apples at a local orchard but the gate was closed.

We drove on. Hilly corn fields, century farms, fading woods.

Meandering brought us to a conservation area.

A path beckoned into the woods and opened onto a lovely pond

that reflected the woods in late autumn hues.

A gift.

To those of us who bemoan the passing of the seasons it is a reminder that each season has its own beauty. Perhaps we wish to stay in Spring, or early Summer, but a glance in the mirror shows Autumn underway. Hence our anxiety at the speed of life. The rolling of time takes us along. We cannot understand that when time stops for us that it really begins.

We purchased our apples, cauliflower, and some cheerful pumpkins at the local veggie stand.

plein air

why I like to have the children at home..

...we do as much as possible au plein air

Harmonia Axyridis

They catch us by surprise, these Asian Lady Beetles, when the day is warm and the season late.

Every year we wonder, "where do they all come from?"

Apparently they are not as plentiful here as they are in the United States. As the story goes, (Ohio State University Extention Fact Sheet) they were imported, intentionally from the Orient and released in the USA to combat pesky tree insects such as aphids and scale insects. This occurred in 1916, the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Perhaps more of them accidentally came on board ships that harbored in the States.

As the weather gets colder the Asian Lady Beetles migrate looking to hibernate in a cool alternative to the cliffs of the Orient. In North America they prefer buildings. (Native Lady Beetles prefer outdoor sites.) On a warm October day you can see thousands trying to find a way into your home. They then hibernate for the winter where they only occasionally venture forth on a warm sunny day. They neither mate nor eat indoors.

In the spring the beetles move outdoors and the lifecycle continues. Yellow oval eggs are laid which hatch in 3-5 days. The larvae will feed for 14 days on aphids and scale insects. Pupation occurs for 5-6 days after which the adult emerges. The adult can live for 2 - 3 years.

Occasionally they nip, occasionally they are a nuisance.

Yet, take a closer look and admire these tiny creatures the next time you see them.

elements of design

line, shape, direction, size, texture, color, value

always visible in Creation

last rose of summer?

Right outside our front window the roses are still blooming

petals wrapped tight against the cold,

looking out of place against October's yellow.

four

Sleepy littlest one comes down the stairs, his eyes light up when he sees the balloons. "It's my buffday"! He gives me a hug and says, "Do you still love me when I'm fow?"

Come here and let me kiss that four year old nose, and those four year old ears. "I love you all more and more everyday!" "Even when I'm all gowed up?" "Yes, even then..."

leaf medley

wet and windy

The wind blusters

and the leaves

succumb

one

by

one

till a thick yellow carpet

covers the lawn.

mother's gift

A carefully selected antique vase

filled with fragrant blooms.

44 years and counting

of unconditional parental love.

child's gift

There are times when we as adults

act like they as children,

tempers flaring, voices shouting ,

feet stomping ridiculously,

Humbly needing to ask forgiveness

of these most precious little people

who watch and listen

and still pick us flowers.

Asking for forgiveness

of the most precious heavenly Father

who watches and listens

and still picks us.

Grace Alone

warm October day

It is one of those warm days of October,

beckoning us outdoors,

thousands of ladybugs

appearing out of nowhere,

a few lone wasps

crawling out of their hiding places.

Perhaps, the last hurrah!

autumn

Finally weather and workload permit a tromp through the woods,

knapsack with snacks and tripod slung over the shoulder,

littlest one by the hand, adventurous two lunging ahead.

Leaves hanging, sating our eyes with color,

Leaves falling, rustling in our ears,

Leaves collected, brittle to the touch,

Leaves crushed, autumn smells in our nostrils.

Again we taste and see the Goodness of our God!

Perhaps not for everyone,

but for me it revives the soul,

necessary for connecting with my maker

and disconnecting with a hectic schedule.

Edginess, impatience, discontent falling trailside,

lost in the golden leaves that we kick up as we wander.

in the orchard

wind in the corn leaves

wonderful leaves

rustling and brittle

last of the autumn flowers

I just don't feel ready for the disappearance of the flowers, trees baring their branches, the cold weather, the indoor life of winter.

sliver of silver

thanksgiving

Norah's American Gold Finch

out of these, mighty oaks

When we were camping a few weeks ago the children collected acorns.

Surprisingly they sprouted, these oak children, begging to be planted. Visions of stately oaks along our back fence line. For now, we tuck them into one long straight furrow in the garden.

Nuggets of trees, will they grow? And the nuggets planted in the fertile children's minds? Their hearts? Will my seedlings grow into mighty oaks?

I suppose that as parents we dream big dreams for our children. Explorers, doctors, philanthropists, artists, historians, musicians, athletes. Yet, the only thing commanded in the scripture is to "love the Lord your God and your neighbour as yourself". I draw my seedlings close and pray that they may be mighty oaks in His garden. Giving blessings of shelter and beauty and strength.

the heavens declare

98% full moon

100% declaring

the glory of God

many colors

Sometimes to do lists outweigh the time for lists.

Discouragement creeps in

The accomplished stack so small beside the should have done stack.

Summer plunged into autumn, Tshirts exchanged for warm coats.

Blue skies replaced with wet and gray.

So here I sit at the brink of my 100th blog entry feeling like it should be a good one...and wondering who do I think I am to make it a good one?? Here I sit. Nothing to say.

The rain stops, the sun beckons. The mailbox flag is up. (Our hamlet still has mailboxes and a friendly young postman that delivers and picks up mail). I grab some scissors to cut some hydrangea and Sedums to bring inside. Their colors so lovely together.

There is a package in the mailbox from a dear friend. She moved across the country just as we were getting to know each other. Two coffees and conversation on the front porch together replaced with one coffee beside the computer while ticking messages via email.

I feel a little bit guilty, remembering that I lied about my birthday on facebook (not wishing to have private information on the internet) A few weeks early and a few years late.

So, a few weeks early I am blessed with a gift. I unwrap the shawl of many colors and rewrap it around my shoulders. I feel warmed and blessed and hugged by someone special. My not-my-birthday-yet gift just made my day! Warmed and smiling I carry on my tasks and somehow they suddenly seem quite manageable.

Thank you my friend.